Lebanese

A very Lebanese way to call someone gorgeous is قمر (ʾamar), literally “moon”. It fits a man or a woman.

In Lebanese Arabic “wait” is استنّى (istanna) when you speak to a man and استنّي (istanni) to a woman. To a group you say استنّو (istannu).

The Lebanese way to say “I hate you” is بكرهك (bkrahak). Add كتير (ktīr) for بكرهك كتير (bkrahak ktīr), “I hate you a lot”. It is a strong thing to say.

The everyday Lebanese word for love is حب (hob), and the verb بحب (bhebb) means “I love”. حب (hob) covers love between partners, family and friends.

The classic Lebanese hello is مرحبا (marḥaba). Friends often say هلا (halla) or أهلين (ahlēn).

Beer is بيرة (bīra) in Lebanese Arabic. The plural is بيرات (bīrāt), and for two beers people say بيرتين (bīrtēn).

The Lebanese word for pear is إجاص (ejjas). One pear is إجاصة (ejjase).

In Lebanese Arabic “bear” is دب (dubb). The word is the same in Standard Arabic.

In Lebanese Arabic the noun “smell” is ريحة (rīḥa). The verb “to smell something” is شمّ (shamm).

In Lebanese Arabic, “good” is منيح (mnīḥ). People use it for food, weather and plans, and also to say they are fine.